Proton is looking for its most loyal customers as part of The Proton Search Contest, a 13-week competition that is part of the recently-launched ‘My New Proton’ campaign. The contest seeks out the longest-serving Protons in the country that have a rich history, and are still in immaculate original condition.

The contest will take place from March 8, 2016 to June 8, 2016, and is open to all Malaysians with a valid identification card and driving licence.

To participate, entrants need to submit an entry form (which will be made available at the company’s website) along with a short written story of the car, which includes a memorable photo of the car or a creative 60-second video.

However, there are certain terms and conditions placed upon the submissions. Firstly, the Proton car must have a valid road tax and insurance renewed annually since ownership. Secondly, the Proton car must be registered for non-commercial purposes (i.e. not a taxi).

Thirdly, the Proton car must be roadworthy, well maintained and still looks like its original state. Proton cars that have a single owner, or has been used and kept within the family since it was purchased new are qualified to be submitted.

Eleven winners will selected from this contest, with the grand prize being the soon-to-be-launched 2016 Proton Saga – one of three new Proton cars set to debut this year – along with a RM5,000 refurbishment of the winning Proton. Just one winner will be selected for the Saga.

Meanwhile, the ten consolation winners will also be awarded with the refurbishment, along with RM1,000 cash. All winners will also be taken on a tour of the Proton plant in Shah Alam.

“Since our inception, we have sold over four million Proton cars, and this search is our way of rewarding Proton loyal customers and bringing them closer to us. We must take care of these customers, who have chosen to purchase our cars and are proud of driving us,” said Proton CEO Datuk Abdul Harith Abdullah.

Originating from the corporate world with a background in finance and economics, Gerard’s strong love for cars led him to take the plunge into the automotive media industry. It was only then did he realise that there are more things to a car than just horsepower count.

Owned a savvy amt for 9 years. Major Problems started in the third year. Then every year major problems occured. Cost 2k – 3k to repair every time. Wanted to get rid of the car in the fifth year but even proton dealers didnt want to trade in the car. Finally sold the car last year after 9 years with less than 60k mileage for just RM1k to a mechanic. Should have kept it so i can enter the contest.

Come on, do you have to be that mean, i do own my dad’s 85 saga and love it, i’m not the kind of kid who ask new car from their parents even if they can afford it.. I’ll be joining this just to try my luck

creative effort to build anticipation prior to the launch of new saga. i bet there are still original saga, its facelift sister saga megavalve and the 2nd gen iswara out there in much, much better condition than the 3rd gen proton saga lmst (lihat macam sangat terror).

That’s true. My father owned one and the LMST’s body panels felt like it was made from cardboard, the interior wasn’t put on properly and the cooling system is hopeless. Even his Kancil which is much has clocked more than 100k km is more reliable.

That blue ‘Proton 1’ Saga, that is the property of Johore royalty. Absolutely stunning ! I’m sure it’s worth quite a bit… and in time, its value will only increase.

Unfortunately, although I’m a ‘Proton enthusiast’ myself, I probably won’t qualify for the contest. My dad’s old 1999 Wira Aeroback was sold off a few years back. And I’m probably too young, I wasn’t even born yet when Proton launched the Saga in 1985. haha. A year back, I actually wrote a story/ recount of my childhood with the old Wira here; (https://www.flickr.com/photos/aero7my/16306970406/). Until today, I still love and miss her very much. :’]

I look forward to seeing all the contestants and their rides, and I must thank the management at Proton for actually listening to all those ‘pimp my Proton’ comments on their Facebook page. I didn’t expect this ! But it’s pure genius, nostalgia sells !

Very nice story there! My family still has a 1994 Proton Wira and I still use it as my weekday car to go to work. Reading your story it appears that Protons in the late 90s to early 2000s seem to suffer even more problems than those produced during the early to mid 90s. Some of the problems you mentioned also happened in my dad’s company car which was a late 90s/early 2000s Proton Wira such as air-con failure. The one from 1994 still has the original air-con compressor and the air-con has never failed so far! In my 10 years of working I never had to top-up the gas even once, perhaps since they day we got it the refrigerant has never leaked. However it is getting old. In July it will be 22 years old.

No plans to let it go or change to a new car even though I can afford a H god car now. Around 2008 I was offered a brand new Myvi so that the wira can be given to my younger brother who was going to college but I turned it down. To me the Wira is much superior than the Myvi as it is bigger and better to drive.

Thanks for reading man, I appreciate it. :] I’m glad to hear that your ’94 Wira ownership has been good and it’s still running today ! Don’t sell it man, keep it… treasure it… in fact, I know many people who still keep their old Wiras (early models) even when they have upgraded to a Japanese or Euro car. Sentimental and nostalgic value is powerful.

I wish we could have afforded the Wira when it first came out, those early units are betul-betul bulletproof. And I agree, right around the Asian Financial Crisis period, Proton was going backwards; their quality, design philosophy, management, everything… they only realized how much they’ve slacked by around 2005/ 2006, around the time the Myvi was launched and the Vios and City became popular. Since then, they’ve slowly improved their ways, but I still wish Syed Zainal Abidin was the Boss… he’s a good man.

My mom still use her 1985 Proton Saga Orion (Plate NX….) that was bought three weeks after the launching. My late father bought it for her..Blue metallic….I was 15 years old, and what a glamorous moment during that time…felt like everyone watching…the car is still in working order, but has changed its engine and has been repainted twice…Still eligible or not for the competition???

Despite all the negative comments, I do own a 1995 Proton Saga Iswara 1.3S manual. The car served me very well and has easily done more then 300,000km. My son has taken over the car and is keen on keeping it going for many years to come. After 20 years, it went through a top-overhaul and some parts were replaced recently due to normal wear and tear.The car is still coated with the original paint and probably needs a fresh coat of paint soon.The quality of this model back then was very much better which could be due to the fact that the major components were from Mitsubishi or coming from good OEM. I think in recent years the quality has dropped tremendously and also the after-sales service. Proton can get back its glamour if only the people inside change their mindset and move forward with a global concept car which is built based on top-notch quality and innovation. Sadly all these are still very much lacking especially in terms of quality, styling and new ideas of which has brought down this Malaysian dream to almost a living nightmare for some of the current owners. If they could only sell the same Iswara again with much better overall quality, I don’t mind buying one if the price is reasonable together with a reasonable resale value (RV).

I inherited my late father Proton Saga 1985 (Orient Engine). He took care of it very well. I used it as a second vehicle and started it once a week until one day I missed and the battery becomes weak and the engine no longer start. To keep cost of ownership low I renew the insurance and road tax not yearly but just enough so I don’t have to send it to Puspakom for checking. It’s pretty amazing I still kept this car and there is no need for Proton people to disqualify people who don’t renew the road tax yearly from entering. Still, those who might be interested to buy this antique can give me a shout at kersani@gmail.com Thanks.

Got no choice but to own a 97 satria (UK spec) till now. I am quite contended with it though despite the aging & some issues (proton maa). My request, do appreciate all proton owners for the trust we gave upon you & reward us with good deals despite the condition of our car & trade in at better value than the market one if possible

I entered the Proton Search Contest which closed on 8 June 2016 but have since not got any acknowledgement nor any respond from the Proton side. I am wondering what is happening. Can someone please enlighten me. Thank you.

Dear Sir,
I am a Proton owner for the past 25 years and was excited when Proton is searching for the longest serving and surviving proton.
Unfortunately Proton is always the “LET-DOWN”.Start something but never will be any ending. I would like to know when this contest’s results be “finally announced”.
TQVM

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